Title
Authorizing the retiring of Police Department horses to a charitable equine sanctuary.
Body
WHEREAS, the police department has discontinued service of its mounted patrol unit; and
WHERERAS, the mounted patrol unit horses have served the department with honor;
WHEREAS, certain horses have been evaluated by an independent expert who has recommended that they retire based on their age and condition and has recommended placement with an organization such as This Old Horse; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Administrative Code section 2.02, the horses may be transferred to a bona fide charitable, educational, religious or fraternal nonprofit organization; and
WHEREAS, This Old Horse is a volunteer-based charitable organization whose mission is to provide sanctuary to retired, rescued, and recovering horses while they continue to serve as ambassadors to the positive effect of "horse power" in the lives of people; and
WHEREAS, This Old Horse is a retirement refuge for horses who, alongside their human professionals, have worked hard for a living; and
WHEREAS, This Old Horse gives retirees a safe harbor for life where they may age in place, loved, honored and respected to the end and is a certified rescue and accredited as an equine sanctuary by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS); and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that the horses have served the City of Saint Paul with honor and that retiring the horses to This Old Horse with its mission to serve as a horse sanctuary and ambassador for the positive effects of horse power in the lives of people serves the City’s interests in responsibly placing the horses, now therefore be it;
RESOLVED, that certain police department mounted patrol horses are hereby transferred to This Old Horse pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Equine Donation Agreement between the Saint Paul Police Department and This Old Horse.